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The harmfulness, from the psychological standpoint, of tight clothing in little children is seldom explained. Here it is shown that short and tight clothing is both cold and uncomfortable, especially of course in winter, and is bad for the temper of the child, as well as having a more serious aspect. The child will avoid play, any unnecessary movement, as well as being the recipient of affection on the part of others which involves being lifted up, because of the additional discomfort caused by restricting clothing; it then earns the character of being bad-tempered, or lacking in affection by the adults, who never notice the red marks on its limbs made by the harmful but fashionable elastic. Psychological causes underlying the mother's vanity connected with the child's smart appearance, and the possible cause of fondness for childish bare limbs, are the subject of further remarks, as well as the danger that may follow from the extreme tightness causing undue pressure upon the external genitals of boy or girl, over-stimulating these parts, and so increasing the tendency to infantile masturbation and creation of morbid phantasies.
Author's Abstract.